LONDON (AP) — British authorities and the country’s public health service knowingly exposed tens of thousands of patients to deadly infections through contaminated blood and blood products, and hid the truth about the disaster for decades, an inquiry into the U.K.’s infected blood scandal found Monday.
An estimated 3,000 people in the United Kingdom are believed to have died and many others were left with lifelong illnesses after receiving blood or blood products tainted with HIV or hepatitis in the 1970s to the early 1990s.
The scandal is widely seen as the deadliest disaster in the history of Britain’s state-run National Health Service since its inception in 1948.
Former judge Brian Langstaff, who chaired the inquiry, slammed successive governments and medical professionals for “a catalogue of failures” and refusal to admit responsibility to save face and expense. He found that deliberate attempts were made to conceal the scandal, and there was evidence of government officials destroying documents.
Hollywood star Shia LaBeouf is spotted on the streets of Gavin and Stacey's hometown Barry
Labour concedes it could have done more to deal with disruptive state housing tenants
Global democracy rankings: Australia in top 10 nations
I refused to accept my neighbour's parcel
Kate Hudson hits the stage to debut songs from her new album Glorious at star
Core blimey: Poached pears with blackberry drizzle and hazelnut shortbread
First look: Prince Andrew 'car crash' interview with Emily Maitlis film trailer released by Netflix
Candice Swanepoel stuns in a form
Trump appeals US$454 million ruling in NY civil fraud case
Russian theater director and playwright go on trial over a play authorities say justifies terrorism
James, Earl of Wessex, 16, stands shoulder